Medical data system and method

ABSTRACT

The present application regards a system and method including database(s) of medical records, processed medical records, user profile information and electronic medical information including information associated with medical terminology associated with diagnoses, treatments and evaluations. A first user interface module is configured to provide prompts for information regarding electronic medical information, and to receive and store responses to the prompts. Further, an electronic medical record processing module converts a medical record into a processed medical record. Further, a second user interface module displays the processed medical record and at least some corresponding information to a first user in accordance with electronic user profile information associated with the first user, and displays the processed medical record and at least some different corresponding information regarding at least one different medical term from the medical record to a second user in accordance with user profile information associated with the second user.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/457,956, filed Aug. 12, 2014, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/864,916, filed Aug. 12, 2013, andU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/940,055, filed Feb. 14, 2014,which are hereby incorporated by reference in their respectiveentireties.

BACKGROUND

Medical information is provided in a plethora of formats and from manysources. Despite technological advances regarding access to information,it remains extremely difficult to manage the many volumes of informationand provide effective care for patients.

The present application addresses these and other considerations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one or more implementations, the present application includes anapparatus and method that include at least one database that isaccessible to at least one processor. The database(s) include electronicmedical records including information associated with one or more ofmedical diagnoses, treatments and evaluations of respective patients.Additionally, the database(s) include electronic processed medicalrecords that include at least some of each electronic medical record ina selectable format, wherein the selectable format providescorresponding information regarding at least one medical term;electronic user profile information identifying respective users andrepresenting corresponding degrees understanding of medical informationfor each of the respective users; electronic medical informationincluding information associated with medical terminology associatedwith the diagnoses, treatments and evaluations. Moreover, a first userinterface module is provided that is configured with at least oneprocessor to provide prompts for information associated with theelectronic medical information, and to receive responses to the promptsand to store the responses in the at least one database. Further, anelectronic medical record processing module configured with at least oneprocessor that is configured to convert a first electronic medicalrecord into a first electronic processed medical record that includes atleast some of the first electronic medical record in a selectableformat. Further, a second user interface module is provided that isconfigured with at least one processor to display the first electronicprocessed medical record and at least some corresponding informationregarding at least one medical term from the first electronic medicalrecord to a first user in accordance with electronic user profileinformation associated with the first user, and to display the firstelectronic processed medical record and at least some differentcorresponding information regarding at least one different medical termfrom the first electronic medical record to a second user in accordancewith electronic user profile information associated with the seconduser.

These and other aspects, features, and advantages can be appreciatedfrom the accompanying description of certain embodiments of theinvention and the accompanying drawing figures and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example implementation of thepresent application and that represents an association of a plurality ofdevices and the flow of information associated with the devices;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram that illustrates functional elements of one ormore of data processing apparatus or computing device;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an example method for providing medical healthrecords and corresponding functionality shown and described herein inaccordance with an example implementation;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an example method for providing medical healthrecords and corresponding functionality shown and described herein inaccordance with an example implementation;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram that illustrates data sources, database(s) andgraphical user interface(s), such as shown and described herein, forproviding functionality in accordance with the present application;

FIG. 6 illustrates an example data entry display screen that isconfigured for users to enter information associated with medical termsin accordance with an implementation of the present application;

FIG. 7 illustrates an example data entry display screen that isconfigured for users to enter information associated with medical termsin accordance with an implementation of the present application;

FIG. 8 illustrates an example data entry display screen that isconfigured for users to enter information associated with medicalspecialties in accordance with an implementation of the presentapplication;

FIG. 9 illustrates an example data entry display screen that isconfigured for users to add and edit information associated with signsand symptoms that are associated with a respective medical term; and

FIGS. 10-13 illustrate an example implementation of healthcare recordgraphical user interface in accordance with an implementation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present application regards a system and method that includes acomputer-based tool to assist healthcare providers and other medicalpersonnel, such as primary care physicians, to make accurate andcost-effective medical evaluations. The tool can aid in establishing thediagnoses of diseases and medical disorders, as well as to provideinformation regarding medical conditions and procedures. Such evaluationcan be made on the basis of signs and symptoms described by patients orobserved by physicians. A plurality of data sources can be accessed forpopulating one or more databases of medical health information. In oneor more implementations, a “medical dictionary index” is provided forexample, using respective medical terms, that provides an index to thedatabase.

The present application regards, generally, management and display ofmedical information, including patient medical records, and morespecifically, regards the generation and use of a new medicaldefinitions and conditions database. The information stored in thedatabase can include information representing one or more medicalconditions, such as diseases, results of trauma, bacterial infections,viruses, parasites and congenital defects. The information may furtherinclude individual patient medical health records, such as relating totreatments, physician (or other healthcare provider) visits, medicaltests and/or analysis thereof, or the like. Unlike known systems, inwhich complex medical terminology and meanings are referenced from manysources, the present application provides complex processing of variousinformation to provide for convenient and usable analysis of theinformation.

Referring to the drawings, in which like reference numerals refer tolike elements, FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exampleimplementation of the present application and that represents anassociation of a plurality of devices and the flow 108 of informationassociated with the devices. In the example shown in FIG. 1, variouscomputing devices 102 and 104 are shown, each capable of executingdesktop and/or mobile computing device web browser application(s)including INTERNET EXPLORER, CHROME, FIREFOX, and other (e.g., SAFARI,OPERA). In addition to standard web browser application functionality,user information can be gathered via Push Notifications, and informationcan be retrieved from a computing device using a “REST” interface.Various mobile devices running different operating systems are shown,including IOS, ANDROID and other (e.g., PALM, WINDOWS or other mobiledevice operating system).

In the example shown in FIG. 1, data processing apparatus 102 isoperatively coupled to user computing devices 104. Devices 104 can berespectively operated by one or more healthcare providers and associatedstaff, medical specialists and/or consumers. Healthcare providers caninclude, for example, physicians, physician assistants, nurses,therapists and/or other providers of healthcare services. Dataprocessing apparatus 102 and/or user computing device 104 can beoperable to store various information including, for example, personalor identifying information about a user/patient, information identifyinga respective computing device and/or software operating thereon, useractivity (e.g., browsing history, medical history, information about arespective social network, social actions or activities, profession,preferences or a current location), or the like.

In addition, certain data can be treated in one or more ways beforebeing stored or used, so that personally identifiable information is notdisplayed. For example, a person's identification number can be used toretrieve detailed information about a user, and which can be transmittedto a healthcare professional. The healthcare professional (or thespecific employee or agent of the professional) may not be provided withpersonally identifiable information about the patient. In this way, auser's anonymity can be preserved, for example to maintain expectationsof anonymity. Also illustrated in FIG. 1 is a network 106, which can beconfigured as a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN),Peer-to-Peer network (“P2P”), Multi-Peer network, the Internet, one ormore telephony networks or a combination thereof, that is operable toconnect data processing apparatus 102 and/or devices. Though many of theexamples and implementations shown and described herein relate toproduct and/or service recommendations, many other forms of content canbe provided and/or delivered by system 100.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram that illustrates functional elements of one ormore of data processing apparatus 102 or computing device 104 andpreferably include one or more central processing units (CPU) 202 usedto execute software code in order to control operations, including ofdata processing apparatus 102, read only memory (ROM) 204, random accessmemory (RAM) 206, one or more network interfaces 208 to transmit andreceive data to and from other computing devices across a communicationnetwork, storage devices 210 such as a hard disk drive, solid statedrive, floppy disk drive, tape drive, CD-ROM or DVD drive for storingprogram code, databases and application code, one or more input devices212 such as a keyboard, mouse, track ball and the like, and a display214.

The various components of devices 102 and/or 104 need not be physicallycontained within the same chassis or even located in a single location.For example, storage device 210 can be located at a site which is remotefrom the remaining elements of computing devices 102 and/or 104, and caneven be connected to CPU 202 across communication network 106 vianetwork interface 208.

The functional elements shown in FIG. 2 (designated by reference numbers202-214) are preferably the same categories of functional elementspreferably present in computing device 102 and/or 104. However, not allelements need be present, for example, storage devices in the case ofPDAs, and the capacities of the various elements are arranged toaccommodate expected user demand. For example, CPU 202 in computingdevice 104 can be of a smaller capacity than CPU 202 as present in dataprocessing apparatus 102. Similarly, it is likely that data processingapparatus 102 will include storage devices 210 of a much higher capacitythan storage devices 210 present in computing device 104. Of course, oneof ordinary skill in the art will understand that the capacities of thefunctional elements can be adjusted as needed.

The nature of the present application is such that one skilled in theart of writing computer executed code (software) can implement thedescribed functions using one or more or a combination of a popularcomputer programming language including but not limited to C++, VISUALBASIC, JAVA, ACTIVEX, HTML, XML, ASP, SOAP, IOS, OBJECTIVE C, ANDROID,TORR and various web application development environments.

As used herein, references to displaying data on computing device 104refer to the process of communicating data to the computing device 104across communication network 106 and processing the data such that thedata can be viewed on the user computing device 104 display 214 using aweb browser, custom application or the like. The display screens oncomputing devices 102/104 present areas within system 100 such that auser can proceed from area to area within the system 100 by selecting adesired link. Therefore, each user's experience with system 100 will bebased on the order with which (s)he progresses through the displayscreens. In other words, because the system is not completelyhierarchical in its arrangement of display screens, users can proceedfrom area to area without the need to “backtrack” through a series ofdisplay screens. For that reason and unless stated otherwise, thefollowing discussion is not intended to represent any sequentialoperation steps, but rather the discussion of the components of system100.

Although the present application is described by way of example hereinin terms of a web-based system using web browsers, custom applicationsand a web site server (data processing apparatus 102), and with mobilecomputing devices, system 100 is not limited to that particularconfiguration. It is contemplated that system 100 can be arranged suchthat computing device 104 can communicate with, and display datareceived from, data processing apparatus 102 using any knowncommunication and display method, for example, using a non-Internetbrowser Windows viewer coupled with a local area network protocol suchas the Internetwork Packet Exchange (IPX). It is further contemplatedthat any suitable operating system can be used on computing device 104,for example, WINDOWS 3.X, WINDOWS 95, WINDOWS 98, WINDOWS 2000, WINDOWSCE, WINDOWS NT, WINDOWS XP, WINDOWS VISTAWINDOWS 7, WINDOWS 8, MAC OS,OSX, LINUX, IOS, ANDROID and any suitable PDA or palm computer operatingsystem.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an example method for providing medical healthrecords and corresponding functionality shown and described herein inaccordance with an example implementation. In some implementations, themethod can be performed by a processor executing instructions in acomputer-readable storage medium. For example, the method can beperformed by the data processing apparatus 102 and/or user computingdevice 104. It should be noted that while various operations describedherein are illustrated with respect to individual webpages, suchoperations can be similarly employed with respect to groups orcollections of webpages (e.g., websites). At step 302, informationreceived from various data sources is processed. For example,information may be obtained vis-à-vis a screen capture process (as knownin the art), an electronic file, such as PDF file, an image file, suchas a JPEG, TIFF or other image format, a facsimile, a scanned documentor other document source. The processing that occurs in step 302 caninclude converting from one format to another (e.g., image to text), andparsing a document for future comparison and/or analysis. Thereafter,the processed information is stored in one or more databases (step 304).

Continuing with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 3, at step 306information that is entered by one or more users, such as specialists ofa particular industry or practice, is processed. For example, agraphical user interface can be provided by data processing apparatus102 and/or user computing device 104 that includes data entry displayscreens and graphical screen controls for users to submit topicalinformation (see below, for example, and with reference to FIGS. 6-9).The topical information can be based upon, for example,industry-relevant key terms that have esoteric and complex meaningsknown well to industry specialists. In addition to providing definitionsof the key terms, associated information, such as relating to causes,risks, diagnoses and treatment (in the case of medical information), canfurther be received and processed in step 306. For example, a cardiospecialist is entering information associated with acute aorticdissection. A relatively brief definition is provided (e.g., 75 words)that describes the procedure, as well as a brief description of signsand symptoms associated with acute coronary syndrome. Other informationreceived in the graphical user interface from the cardio specialistincludes associated symptoms produced by malperfusion, including thatrelate to coronary, cerebrovascular, upper extremity, spinal cord,visceral, and lower extremity. In addition, the cardio specialist entersinformation associated with causes and risk factors, diagnostic workupinformation, treatment and follow-up information associated with acuteaortic dissection. The information can be processed and stored (step308) to be usable in a graphical user interface provided to anotheruser, such as a family physician who would not be otherwise familiarwith details associated with acute aortic dissection.

Continuing with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 3, at step 310a selected stored medical record is processed pursuant to a user profileassociated with the respective user to provide the medical record in aprocessed format in accordance with the teachings herein. For example, afamily physician accesses a graphical user interface that includes acopy of the medical record with the term “acute aortic dissection”flagged or highlighted. Thus, as shown and described with reference tothe flowchart in FIG. 3, information can be received from a plurality ofsources, including via a graphical user interface that provides one ormore data entry display screens, for processing and storing information.The information can, thereafter, be used to provide concise, accurateand up-to-date references for respective users and in respectivecontexts.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an example method for providing medical healthrecords and corresponding functionality shown and described herein inaccordance with an example implementation. At step 402, a healthcareprovider, such as a doctor, initializes (e.g., “launches”) the graphicaluser interface to review a medical report associated with a respectivepatient. At step 404, the medical report is displayed in the userinterface with key terms highlighted. Any words of possible uncertaintythat are in the database are flagged or highlighted on the displayscreen. The terms can be flagged or highlighted as a function of thehealthcare provider's respective user profile being processed by dataprocessing apparatus 102 and/or user computing device 104.

Continuing with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, thehealthcare provider “hovers” over a highlighted term for further review(step 406). Information associated with the term automatically appearsin the display screen at or near the location of the particular term. Inthe event that (s)he desires additional information regarding the term,the healthcare provider “clicks” or “taps” his/her mouse or otherselection device (e.g., trackball, touchpad, touchscreen or the like),and an additional cascade of information regarding the key term isprovided. In the event that more information is desired, the healthcareprovider can “click” or “tap” again, and yet an additional cascade ofinformation regarding the key term is provided (steps 408, 410). Forexample, information that is provided in response to a simple hover-overstep is rudimentary and includes only one or two sentences regarding thekey term. Information that is provided in response to the first click orother selection is more detailed, and may include symptom informationand/or causes and risk factors associated with the key term. Informationthat is provided in response to one or more additional clicks or otherselections is preferably more detailed, and can include diagnosticinformation, trend information, demographic information or the like.Thus the present application provides for cascades of increasinglydetailed information regarding one or more key terms in response toselections or “mouse-clicks” received from a healthcare provider in thegraphical user interface. Information associated with the respectivecascades can be provided from one or more databases that are stored“locally” on the user's respective computing device 104, can be providedfrom one or more databases maintained by data processing apparatus 102,and/or can be provided from one or more external databases that areaccessible, for example, via data communication network 106 andmaintained by one or more third party computing devices.

Continuing with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, at step 412an instruction is received from the computing device 104 operated by thehealthcare provider that the key term for which the cascades ofinformation have been provided should no longer be flagged orhighlighted for the respective user. The key term may be well-learned bythe healthcare provider, or the term may not have a bearing on thehealthcare provider's practice, and the healthcare provider no longerdesires to have the term flagged or highlighted in future medicalreports that are provided in the graphical user interface. In responseand at step 414, the healthcare provider's user profile is updated toprevent the term from being flagged or highlighted in the graphical userinterface in future medical reports.

Thus, as shown and described with reference to FIG. 4, data processingapparatus 102 and/or user computing device 104 can be configured toprovide a graphical user interface enabling a user to click once onand/or hover over a key term in a medical record to be provided with adefinition associated with the key term. In response to an initial oradditional click, additional definition information (such as 2 or 3sentences) can be provided. Additional options can be provided, such asto enable the user to be provided with causes and risk factorsassociated with the respective term. In addition, options can beprovided for information associated with risk factors that may worsen adisease associated with the key term. Additional selections (e.g.,clicks) can be received that inform the graphical user interface toperform one or more additional inquiries, such as to obtain diagnosticevaluation and/or diagnostic criteria information. Additional optionsand information can be provided in response to additional selections(e.g., clicks), such as to provide information associated withrecommended follow-up or treatment, conduct additional searching over adata communication network 106 (e.g., Internet searches), and/or toaccess one or more Internet websites that provide additional informationassociated with the key term. Other optional information can includestaging are further stratification.

The present application can maintain and/or access one or more databasesthat, which can be indexed by respective medical terms, that contains,for example, lists of medical diagnoses, procedures, laboratoryfindings, diagnostic signs and X-Ray findings. In variousimplementations, other types of information can be provided that relatesto or otherwise concerns other industries (e.g., law, construction,automotive, engineering, insurance and/or virtually any other industry).The database(s) preferably does not include uncomplicated words or broadterms, and is instead configured to provide specific terms, complicatedterminology, and words that are likely to require a user to otherwisehave to access additional definition and elaboration. For example, thedatabase(s) may not include the term, “upper respiratory infection” or“hip fracture,” but may contain terms “bronchiolitis” or“intertrochanteric hip fracture,” which are items that may deservefurther explanation to a primary care physician. By providing this levelof detail in the database(s), users are precluded from having to accessthird-party or external data sources to obtain the information.

As noted above, in one or more implementations user profiles aresupported that filter various medical terms to or from the dictionaryindex, for access to customized information for respective users.Default user profiles can be defined that represent appropriate levelsof knowledge or understanding of medical information. For example, apediatrician is presumed to have a different level of understanding ofvarious medical terms than a neurologist. A user of the presentapplication submits information that represents the user's respectivespecialty (or lack thereof), and a predefined user profile is assignedfor that user. As medical information, such as medical health records,is processed and provided in the graphical user interface, the user'srespective user profile configures the application to provide access todetail information that is not presumed to be already known by the user.In addition, the present application supports customizing user profiles,such as by enabling or precluding access to information in the index asthe user views a medical record.

For example, a family physician reviews a report from a medicalspecialist on the physician's computer screen quickly. Any words ofpossible uncertainty that are included in the dictionary and that arefiltered based on the physician's presumed (or customized) knowledge orunderstanding can be flagged or otherwise highlighted on the displayscreen. Using a mouse or other selection device, the physician can hoverover a highlighted term on which he or she may want further informationand then, for example by clicking, tapping or otherwise selecting theterm, (s)he starts a cascade that provides further explanation regardingthe term. This can include significant amounts of up-to-date researchresults. Preferably, the cascade of information is provided in acoherent and relatively simple way so as to be concise and relevant tothe practice of the family physician. Moreover, in one or moreimplementations the cascade of information can be presented using one ormore algorithms to present the information in a concise, consistentfashion. This avoids a presentation of too much information, and is,therefore, not overly time-consuming for the user to read and digest,and reduces the likelihood of important information being ignored.

In one or more implementations, a software platform integrates with thedatabase(s) to provide a graphical user interface comprising medicalterms definitions, and diagnostic and treatment information. Theinformation associated with these sources can be received and processedin various ways, such as via email, fax, SMS, file upload, data import,hard copy and, for example, via optical character recognition (“OCR”),voice recognition or one or more other transcription bases. The softwareplatform can be further provided such that the dictionary is integratedor otherwise provided with medical reports received from varioussources, such as referring doctors, medical specialists, laboratories,or the like.

In one or more implementations, one or more data processing apparatuses102 process information to provide various features and functionalityshown and described herein. For example, a medical health record from aradiologist is received by e-mail. The record is received in an ADOBEPDF file format. Thereafter, the record is converted, such as viaoptical character recognition, into a machine-readable format such asplain text, in order to obtain information in the record. Onceinformation is obtained, a data processing apparatus (and/or a usercomputing device) is configured to analyze the information to identifyone or more terms in the medical record that correspond with data orinformation stored in one or more databases. As information, such asmedical terms, are matched, additional data processing can take place,such as to provide hyperlinks to additional information or to formattext in various ways for improved viewing and access.

The graphical user interface provided in accordance with the presentapplication provides, for example, annotations and access tosupplemental information associated with one or more records or recordsources. For example, a medical health report that is received by afamily physician from a radiologist is processed and provided in thegraphical user interface. Supplemental information associated with oneor more terms in the report is further provided as a function of thegraphical user interface. The graphical user interface can be servedfrom a central data computing apparatus 102, which can be presented onuser computing devices 104, for example, in standard web browsingsoftware applications. Alternatively, the graphical user interface canbe provided in a “client” software application, such as a mobile appthat runs on a smartphone or on other software configured with a usercomputing device 104.

In one or more implementations, the present application provides forand/or improves delivery of primary care medicine, and improves thelikelihood of improved outcomes for patients. The teachings herein toempower healthcare providers, such as primary care physicians, familydoctors, primary care internists and pediatricians, by providingaccurate and current information in timely ways. Such information,including detailed medical information, can be made instantly accessibleby harnessing data presented to the healthcare provider, such as fromspecialist consults, blood results, radiology results and otherlaboratory test results, to assist the healthcare provider quickly andvirtually effortlessly to utilize the data. This reduces or eliminatesuncertainty, such as relating to an academic word, a complicateddiagnosis or laboratory or radiographic abnormality, and immediatelypresents an explanation clearly and concisely.

The present application utilizes a systems-based approach that includestechnology to receive and process information, and to provide agraphical user interface that enables to define medical terminologyquickly, present causes and risk factors, aid in establishing properdiagnoses and direct users of the application, such as healthcareproviders, to relevant but simplified information necessary for theuser's respective practice. As noted herein this can involve use of OCRtechnology, and search engine and data mining systems. This informationcan be presented as a function of hyperlinks, such as in a form withquick access, and to be essentially effortless for the primary carephysician to obtain.

In one or more implementations, a document presented to a user computingdevice originates from a number of different sources, including but notlimited to: “local” storage (e.g., a hard drive, flash drive, CD, DVD,BLU-RAY or other storage media connected to or directly assessable bythe user's computing device); “remote” storage (e.g., via a terminalservices session, such as Citrix or remote desktop); “browser-basedaccess” (e.g., such as via INTERNET EXPLORER, MOZILLA FIREFOX, OR GOOGLECHROME); and other “remote” storage access (e.g., via a JAVA window thatprovides information from a remote server application). An “original”healthcare record document may be formatted in various ways, such as a.DOC, .PDF, .TXT, as well as an image file, such as a JPG, TIFF, scannedimage file, facsimile or document. For a user's convenience, the generalappearance of the captured document can be maintained such as topreserve, for example, indentation, paragraph formatting, punctuation,and/or graphical features, such that the captured file can be reproducedto have the same overall appearance as the file that was originallyreceived. Moreover, the original file that is captured, for example,from a user's computing device can be saved in a generic (i.e., common)format, such as PDF, which enables the captured document to be processedat a later time. In one or more implementations, the original file canbe processed in such a manner that “hovering-over” special words resultsin an instruction being generated to cause a graphical screen control,such as a popup textbox, to appear that provides definitions or otheruseful information associated with particular words.

Further, the present application can be configured to save a copy of theoriginal document, such as in a common format, to provide much of thefunctionality shown and described herein. Thereafter, a user can accessnewly saved file, such as the PDF file, and enjoy the functionality setforth in the processed file. For example, special words that arefiltered as a function of the user's profile can be formatted, such thatwhen the user “hovers” over the particular words, a “popup” textboxappears that provide definitions or other useful information associatedwith the particular words. This feature of the present applicationalleviates a need for a recipient to use a client software applicationfor functionality, such as shown and described herein. In one or moreimplementations, various files that are received from a plurality ofparties can be processed in accordance with the teachings herein toprovide “compiled” files (e.g., PDF files) that include additionalinformation and functionality.

The teachings herein improve the academic and financial efficiency ofthe medical provider system. Using the teachings herein, primary carephysicians are able to extract and analyze medical data from multiplesources and locations, and most importantly, be provided thisinformation in an effortless manner. This can occur as a function of acomputer program operating on one or more computing devices that analyzean abnormality, gather data from patient's medical records and executean algorithm to assist with making a diagnosis. In addition, results oftests that have been previously done can be presented, which furtherhelps a primary care physician and/or other medical care provider.

In one or more implementation, data processing apparatus 102 and/or usercomputing device 104 are configured to compare words in a processedmedical record to terms that are stored in an indexed list and thatcorrelate to a user's respective user profile. When matches areidentified, the word(s) are displayed in a highlighted and/orhyperlinked format. When the user clicks on the word, the applicationpresents the user with related information obtained from a medicaldictionary either, for example, via SQL queries or Internet search.

The present application is useful for and or compatible with developedelectronic healthcare record systems, and can target individualpractices for particular and contextual use. FIG. 5 is a block diagramthat illustrates data sources 502, 504, database 506 and graphical userinterface 508, such as shown and described herein, for providingfunctionality in accordance with the present application. Informationcan be mined and/or accessed, for example as a function of OCR and voicerecognition technology, search engines and other known data miningsystems (data sources 502). Information can be entered via a data entrygraphical user interface 504, such as pertaining to complex medicalterminology associated with procedures, diagnoses or the like. Database506 is configured to store information received from sources 502 andinterface 504, and to present the information in a meaningful andefficient way, such as via healthcare record graphical user interface508. Electronic healthcare records can be processed and provided withrespective hyperlinks for quick access to information, and beessentially effortless for the user to obtain detailed information inseconds.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example data entry display screen 602 that isconfigured for users to enter information associated with medical termsin accordance with an implementation of the present application. In theexample shown in FIG. 6, the respective term regards dissectioninvolving the ascending aorta. Referred to herein, generally, as a“medical dictionary editor,” data entry display screen 602 is organizedin sections for users to identify a respective medical term, submitinformation regarding a definition and elaboration, synonyms, signs andsymptoms, additional information (“Pearl”) to know, causes and riskfactors, diagnostic evaluation and differential diagnosis, staging andfurther stratification, treatment and recommended follow-up, andadditional information. An option is further provided for the user toidentify the author of the information.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example data entry display screen 702 that isconfigured for users to enter information associated with medical termsin accordance with an implementation of the present application. Usinggraphical screen control set forth in FIG. 7, users can add/edit a termand associate the term with a particular type. For example, a user canenter a new medical term, anticardiolipin syndrome, in data entrydisplay screen 702. Using a graphical screen control, e.g., a drop-downlist, the user can select the term type as a “diagnosis.” Additionalinformation associated with this diagnosis can be provided, such asshown and described above.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example data entry display screen 802 that isconfigured for users to enter information associated with medicalspecialties in accordance with an implementation of the presentapplication. For example, a medical specialist can use data entrycontrols provided in data entry display screen 802 to and and/or edit aspecialty name. Moreover, data entry display screen 802 includes anoption to define a highlight color for all terms that correspond to aselected specialty. For example, when a user accesses a graphical userinterface that includes a medical record that is configured with flaggedand/or highlighted terms pursuant to definitions set forth in FIG. 8,all terms that correspond with the specific specialty are highlighted inthe color that corresponds with the defined color in FIG. 8 (e.g.,cornflower blue). This is a particularly useful feature of the presentapplication such that a user viewing a record, such as a medical recordthat is replete with terms associated with various medical specialties,and identify at a glance particular terms that correspond to particularmedical specialties. Moreover, information can be color-coated torepresent sources of information. For example information that isentered in one or more databases via a graphical user interface may becolor coded to be brown, while information that is received outside datasources and processed in accordance with the teachings herein may becolor-coded blue.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example data entry display screen 902 that isconfigured for users to add and edit information associated with signsand symptoms that are associated with a respective medical term. In theexample shown in FIG. 9, the selected sign/symptom is a fever that isassociated with dissection involving the ascending aorta. In the dataentry display screen 902, filters are provided for showing symptoms,common signs and/or unique signs. Moreover, a table listing symptoms andsigns is displayed and include blue ears, green nose, black feet andpurple hands. Additionally, weighted values are provided for a feverafter two weeks of exposure (80), a fever within two weeks of exposure(20) and a rash (65). When the user is satisfied with his or herselections, the user can save the entries, such as to a SQL database byselecting “save” button. The weighting factors can be used to indicate asignificance of a sign/symptom with regard to a specific condition ordiagnosis. Using the data entry display screen 902, signs and symptomsare associated with a condition or diagnosis.

Thus, as shown and described above, data processing apparatus 102 and/oruser computing devices 104 can be configured for users to search for,add, delete or edit the database of medical terms provided as a functionof data entry graphical user interface 502 (FIG. 5). Users can add newmedical terms and/or edit previously entered information associated witha medical term. Further, authorized users can delete selected medicalterm(s) from the database, and/or clear data entry performed at acertain point in time. In one or more implementations, graphical screencontrols can be provided to enable a user to navigate the database, suchas alphabetically, as a function of one or more navigation controlsprovided data entry display screen 502. Furthermore, the interfaceprovided in accordance with example implementations is designed to beseamless to the end user, and provide for scalable data storage. As theamount of data increases, the ability for the tool to be utilized tobetter provide information to healthcare professionals increasesexponentially as well.

FIGS. 10-13 illustrate an example implementation of healthcare recordgraphical user interface 508 in accordance with an implementation. FIG.10, for example illustrates healthcare record 1000 in the form of aletter from one physician to another physician regarding a respectivepatient, Louis, and that is provided in graphical user interface 508. Inthe example shown in FIG. 10, the diagnosis prothrombin gene mutation,heterozygous, is highlighted in the electronic record, which indicatesadditional functionality provided by data processing apparatus 102and/or user computing device 104.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example display screen 1100 that includes thehealth record 1000, and definition display section 1102. Definitiondisplay section 1102 may be provided, for example, as the user viewingdisplay screen 1100 hovers his or her mouse over the highlighteddiagnosis. Alternatively, the definition display section 1102 may beprovided upon receiving a click or other selection associated with theuser computing device 104. Additionally, causes or risk factors option1104 is provided for displaying additional information associated withcauses or risk factors for the selected diagnosis. Upon selection of thecauses or risk factors option 1104, additional information can beprovided.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example display screen 1200 that includes thehealth record 1000, and causes or risk factors display section 1202,which identifies demographic information, blood types and/or otherinformation associated with causation and/or risk. In addition, riskfactors that worsen the disease and/or diagnostic evaluation option 1204is displayed that, when selected, results in additional informationbeing displayed associated with worsening risk factors and/or diagnosticevaluations.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example display screen 1300 that includes thehealth record 1000, and risk factors that worsen disease display section1302. Risk factors that worsen disease display section 1302 identifiesadditional risks that could result in worsening disease associated withthe highlighted term in the medical record 1000.

Thus and as shown and described above with reference to FIGS. 10-13, agraphical user interface 508 is provided that includes medical recordsthat are displayed and reformatted to provide information and optionsassociated with technical terms. Information that can be provided inassociation with a respective term can include, for example,definitions, causes or risk factors, diagnostic evaluations, clinicaland/or laboratory criteria, and/or recommended treatments.

The present application uses information technology to provide quick andcoherent access to complicated information in a clear interface thataids, for example, in medical diagnosis, evaluation and treatment.Cascades of information are presented in utilizing one or morealgorithms, which may depend upon a diagnosis, and abnormal laboratoryfinding, a diagnostic sign or X-Ray finding or one or more symptoms.Depending upon a starting point, causes or risk factors, relevance anddifferential differences, can be provided to the user, as well as how tomake a diagnosis or to provide further diagnostic evaluation andinterpretation information. Physicians and other healthcareprofessionals greatly benefit from the functionality shown and describedherein, and the present application improves upon academic and financialefficiency in the medical provider system. The present applicationextracts and analyzes medical data from multiple sources and providesinformation in an effortless manner for the healthcare provider.

As noted above, although many of the examples and descriptions hereinregard the medical industry, the present application is not so limited.Using the teachings herein, many other industries can benefit using thetechnological improvements provided herein.

Furthermore, it is recognized herein that patient privacy rights andinformation associated with diagnoses and treatment may require specificsecurity measures, such as for legal compliance. In one or moreimplementations of the present application, patient privacy is protectedby managing sensitive information, such as in a reserved portion of anInternet web client software application operating on user computingdevice 104, or via security provided by data processing apparatus 102.For example, information can be encrypted and stored securely on a localclient device and/or a server computing device to ensure that patientprivacy is maintained, such as in compliance with the Health InsurancePortability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”).

Although much of the foregoing description has been directed to systemsand methods for code processing, the systems and methods disclosedherein can be similarly deployed and/or implemented in scenarios,situations, and settings far beyond the illustrated scenarios.

It is to be understood that like numerals in the drawings represent likeelements through the several figures, and that not all components and/orsteps described and illustrated with reference to the figures arerequired for all embodiments or arrangements. It should also beunderstood that the embodiments, implementations, and/or arrangements ofthe systems and methods disclosed herein can be incorporated as asoftware algorithm, application, program, module, or code residing inhardware, firmware and/or on a computer useable medium (includingsoftware modules and browser plug-ins) that can be executed in aprocessor of a computer system or a computing device to configure theprocessor and/or other elements to perform the functions and/oroperations described herein. It should be appreciated that according toat least one embodiment, one or more computer programs, modules, and/orapplications that when executed perform methods of the present inventionneed not reside on a single computer or processor, but can bedistributed in a modular fashion amongst a number of different computersor processors to implement various aspects of the systems and methodsdisclosed herein.

Thus, illustrative embodiments and arrangements of the present systemsand methods provide a computer implemented method, computer system, andcomputer program product for processing code(s). The flowchart and blockdiagrams in the figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, andoperation of possible implementations of systems, methods and computerprogram products according to various embodiments and arrangements. Inthis regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams can representa module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or moreexecutable instructions for implementing the specified logicalfunction(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the block can occur out of theorder noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks cansometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware andcomputer instructions.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising”, when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

Also, the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of“including,” “comprising,” or “having,” “containing,” “involving,” andvariations thereof herein, is meant to encompass the items listedthereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.

The subject matter described above is provided by way of illustrationonly and should not be construed as limiting. Various modifications andchanges can be made to the subject matter described herein withoutfollowing the example embodiments and applications illustrated anddescribed, and without departing from the true spirit and scope of thepresent invention, which is set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: at least one databaseaccessible to at least one processor, the at least one databaseincluding: electronic medical records including information associatedwith one or more of medical diagnoses, treatments and evaluations ofrespective patients; electronic processed medical records that includeat least some of each electronic medical record in a selectable format,wherein the selectable format provides corresponding informationregarding at least one medical term; electronic user profile informationidentifying respective users and representing corresponding degreesunderstanding of medical information for each of the respective users;electronic medical information including information associated withmedical terminology associated with the diagnoses, treatments andevaluations; a first user interface module configured with at least oneprocessor to provide prompts for information associated with theelectronic medical information, to receive responses to the prompts andto store the responses in the at least one database; an electronicmedical record processing module configured with at least one processorthat is configured to convert a first electronic medical record into afirst electronic processed medical record that includes at least some ofthe first electronic medical record in a selectable format; a seconduser interface module configured with at least one processor to displaythe first electronic processed medical record and at least somecorresponding information regarding at least one medical term from thefirst electronic medical record to a first user in accordance withelectronic user profile information associated with the first user, andto display the first electronic processed medical record and at leastsome different corresponding information regarding at least onedifferent medical term from the first electronic medical record to asecond user in accordance with electronic user profile informationassociated with the second user.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe second user interface module is further configured with at least oneselectable option to augment or select different user profileinformation.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second userinterface module is further configured with at least one selectableoption to customize user profile information associated with the firstand/or second user.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first userinterface module is further configured to provide prompts forinformation associated with at least one of medical terms, definitions,signs and symptoms, risk factors, causes, diagnostic evaluations,staging, treatment and follow-up procedures.
 5. The apparatus of claim4, wherein the first user interface module is further configured toassociate at least one medical term with a corresponding type.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the first user interface module is furtherconfigured to: prompt for information associated with a specialty, toprompt for information associated with a corresponding color coding ofthe specialty; to receive responses to the respective prompts; and tostore the responses to the respective prompts in the at least onedatabase.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the second user interfacemodule is further configured to display at least one medical term in theprocessed electronic medical record according to a corresponding colorcode associated with a specialty that corresponds with the at least onemedical term.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first userinterface module is further configured to: prompt for informationassociated with signs and symptoms associated with a respective medicalterm; to prompt for at least one filter associated with a sign and/orsymptom; to receive at least one response to a prompt for the at leastone filter; and to store the response to the prompt for the at least onefilter in the at least one database.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8,wherein the second user interface module is further configured to accessfilter information in the at least one database, and to display sign andsymptom information associated with a selected medical term inaccordance with the access to filter information.
 10. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the second user interface module is further configuredto provide cascades of information in response to sequential selectionsfrom a user, and further wherein cascades of information include atleast one of definitions, causes, risk factors, risk factors that worsena disease, and diagnostic information.
 11. A code processing method,comprising: accessing, by at least one processor, at least one databasethat includes: electronic medical records including informationassociated with one or more of medical diagnoses, treatments andevaluations of respective patients; electronic processed medical recordsthat include at least some of each electronic medical record in aselectable format, wherein the selectable format provides correspondinginformation regarding at least one medical term; electronic user profileinformation identifying respective users and representing correspondingdegrees understanding of medical information for each of the respectiveusers; electronic medical information including information associatedwith medical terminology associated with the diagnoses, treatments andevaluations; providing, by at least one processor, a first userinterface configured to provide prompts for information associated withthe electronic medical information, to receive responses to the promptsand to store the responses in the at least one database; converting, byat least one processor, a first electronic medical record into a firstelectronic processed medical record that includes at least some of thefirst electronic medical record in a selectable format; providing, by atleast one processor, a second user interface to display the firstelectronic processed medical record and at least some correspondinginformation regarding at least one medical term from the firstelectronic medical record to a first user in accordance with electronicuser profile information associated with the first user, and to displaythe first electronic processed medical record and at least somedifferent corresponding information regarding at least one differentmedical term from the first electronic medical record to a second userin accordance with electronic user profile information associated withthe second user.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the second userinterface is further configured, by at least one processor, with atleast one selectable option to augment or select different user profileinformation.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the second userinterface is further configured, by at least one processor, with atleast one selectable option to customize user profile informationassociated with the first and/or second user.
 14. The method of claim 11wherein the first user interface is further configured, by at least oneprocessor, to provide prompts for information associated with at leastone of medical terms, definitions, signs and symptoms, risk factors,causes, diagnostic evaluations, staging, treatment and follow-upprocedures.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the first user interfaceis further configured, by at least one processor, to associate at leastone medical term with a corresponding type.
 16. The method of claim 11,wherein the first user interface is further configured, by at least oneprocessor, to: prompt for information associated with a specialty, toprompt for information associated with a corresponding color coding ofthe specialty; to receive responses to the respective prompts; and tostore the responses to the respective prompts in the at least onedatabase.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the second user interfaceis further configured, by at least one processor, to display at leastone medical term in the processed electronic medical record according toa corresponding color code associated with a specialty that correspondswith the at least one medical term.
 18. The method of claim 11, whereinthe first user interface is further configured, by at least oneprocessor, to: prompt for information associated with signs and symptomsassociated with a respective medical term; to prompt for at least onefilter associated with a sign and/or symptom; to receive at least oneresponse to a prompt for the at least one filter; and to store theresponse to the prompt for the at least one filter in the at least onedatabase.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the second user interfaceis further configured, by at least one processor, to access filterinformation in the at least one database, and to display sign andsymptom information associated with a selected medical term inaccordance with the access to filter information.
 20. The method ofclaim 11, wherein the second user interface is further configured, by atleast one processor, to provide cascades of information in response tosequential selections from a user, and further wherein cascades ofinformation include at least one of definitions, causes, risk factors,risk factors that worsen a disease, and diagnostic information.